Static Content

Alaska is the Perfect Choice for Last Minute Summer Cruises

LAST MINUTE TRIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND SUMMER

MAY 16, 2017

Do It Here, Then Do It There: Last Minute Memorial Day Getaways on the West Coast and Last Minute Summer Cruises

If it has suddenly dawned on you that Memorial Day Weekend is just a couple weekends away and you have no plans yet, fear not! Here are some last minute Memorial Day weekend getaways you can quickly plan and get to if you live on the West Coast.

Here are some itineraries in 2018 to get you started on your search for the perfect last-minute summer cruise to the Caribbean.

Paso Robles

Instead of heading straight to Napa or the Santa Ynez Valley like most Californians looking for wine tasting do with a long weekend, consider a trip to less-visited Paso Robles. It may not have the sophisticated glamour of Napa Valley or the Hollywood clout of Santa Ynez Valley, but Paso Robles still packs in some beautiful scenery and award-winning wines within its vineyard-filled valley. Go there now before it hits the mainstream in terms of popular wine regions.

Carlsbad

San Diego is great for a long weekend getaway, but if you’re trying to book a last minute vacation there for Memorial Day weekend, you may find it’s expensive and booked up. Instead look slightly north to the city of Carlsbad, located about 35 miles north of downtown San Diego. Carlsbad is located right on the coast and has wide, sandy beaches plus a cute downtown area referred to as the Village with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to pop into. Carlsbad is also home to Legoland, making it a hit for family getaways.

Palm Springs/Desert

When all else fails, looks east to Palm Springs and its neighboring city of Palm Desert. Memorial Day Weekend is sunny, yet hasn’t usually hit the triple-digit heat that summer will be bringing to the inland desert region. Full of hotels, condos, and houses to rent, you should still be able to score some decent last minute accommodation in Palm Springs, even for a holiday weekend. If you want some more excitement than just lounging by the pool, be sure to pack your hiking shoes as Palm Springs is a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park.

Pacific Grove

Monterey and Carmel may get all the fame, but if you’re banging your head on the keyboard trying to find last minute accommodation for those two tony cities, look to their neighbor: Pacific Grove. This small city has its own charm with a tiny downtown area that has restaurants and cafes and a plethora of hotels that may still have some last minute availability for Memorial Day Weekend — plus it’s a super short drive to the sights of Monterey and Carmel.

Olympic National Park

This massive national park in western Washington has a number of towns on its border where you can stay — from the lovely lakeside calm of Quinault to the bustling seaside city of Port Angeles – meaning you’ll have more luck trying to find a last minute accommodation. Or you can go the rugged route for Memorial Day weekend and check for available campsites. From rainforests to waterfalls to foliage-heavy hiking trails, there is plenty to do in Olympic National Park to fill a long weekend.

Last Minute Summer Cruises — It’s Time to Book Your Dream Summer Vacation

Once Memorial Day weekend is over, it means summer is just around the corner and that means…summer vacation time! Luckily, it’s not too late to book a summer cruise, even if it’s a last-minute vacation decision for you! Here are some last minute summer cruise ideas for you.

Alaska

Explore America’s last frontier with an Alaska cruise that lets you experience both sea views and beautiful port towns. Here are a couple itineraries that are great for west coasters due to the ease of getting to the embarkation port: